Lightweight top garment hanger

ABSTRACT

In a top garment hanger, through openings are formed in the arms of the hanger relative to a center axis of the hanger body. The provision of the various through openings reduces the total weight of the hanger and the resin material used to mold the hanger. The hanger is accordingly environmentally friendly. The manufacturing cost and the transportation cost of the hanger are reduced, which provide a market advantage for the manufacturer, transporter and retailer of the garment hangers.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

Under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,956 filed Feb. 4, 2009, entitled “LIGHTWEIGHT TOP GARMENT HANGER”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garment hangers as are widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight top garment hanger with an improved hanger body, which consumes less material and less energy for processing the material as compared to existing top garment hangers, without compromising the structural integrity and mechanical performance of the hanger. The top garment hanger according to the present invention is environmentally advantageous.

2. Description of Related Art

In the area of retail garment sales, so-called Garment-On-Hanger (GOH) programs have become preferred by retailers. In a GOH program, garments are delivered to retail merchants already suspended from hangers, where upon arrival at the retail location the garments are immediately placed on display for sale. One application of the GOH programs is top garments such as T-shirts, polo shirts, jackets and the like. The garments are placed on a hanger and then shipped from the remote destination to the retail establishment

In particular, retailers have specified particular hangers or hanger characteristics among their several suppliers in order to achieve uniformity on their sales floors. To this end, standards as to hanger size, shape, performance characteristics, etc., are maintained, for example, by organizations such as the Voluntary Inter-industry Commerce Standards Association (VICS). One particular standardized hanger feature is popular across several hanger models, namely a wire hook mated to a plastic hanger. This type of hanger is suitable for suspending, shipping and displaying a wide variety of garments especially top garments, such as shirts, jackets and so on.

With the continuing consumption of the natural resources, it is popular and necessary in the manufacturing industry to optimize the product design to save materials and energy and concomitantly reduce the manufacturing and transportation costs, without compromising performance of the product. The resultant product under such a material and energy saving concept is recognized as an environmentally friendly product, and is much more market competitive than its prior art counterpart. In the hanger molding industry, millions of plastic top garment hangers are manufactured each year. Thus, an environmentally friendly hanger would provide a significant commercial advantage for the manufacturer, transporter and retailer in the industry.

Accordingly, there is a need for a novel top garment hanger that uses less material for manufacturing and still maintains its structural integrity and mechanical performance to satisfy industry standards, for example, the VICS standards.

Accordingly, there is a need for a novel top garment hanger that is lightweight and easy to handle.

Accordingly, there is a need for a novel top garment hanger that effectively reduces manufacturing and transportation costs and uses less material to enhance the environment.

Accordingly, there is a need for a novel top garment hanger made from less material while still maintaining performance and the compatibility with the existing garment/hanger conveying mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in order to overcome certain deficiencies of the prior art, provided according to the present invention is a lightweight top garment hanger. The hanger includes a body, a hook member connected to the body, a first arm connected to the body and extending from the body to a first end of the hanger, and a second arm connected to the body and extending from the body to a second end of the hanger. The second arm is substantially symmetrical to the first arm relative to a center axis of the body. The first arm includes a first upper flange, a first lower flange and a first arm web connecting the first upper flange and the first lower flange. The first arm web includes at least one first through opening formed therein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second arm also includes a second upper flange, a second lower flange and a second arm web connecting the second upper flange and the second lower flange. The second arm web also includes at least one second through opening formed therein. The first through opening of the first arm can be symmetrical to the second through opening of the second arm relative to the central axis of the hanger body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first arm includes a first group of three through openings formed in a first distal portion of the first arm, and the second arm includes a second group of three through openings formed in a second distal portion of the second arm. Each one of the first group of three through openings is substantially symmetrical to a respective one through opening of the second group of three openings.

In one embodiment, the area of the at least one first through opening accounts for 10-80% of the total area of the first arm web. Specifically, the area of the at least one first through opening accounts for 30-50% of the total area of the first arm web.

In a further embodiment, the area of the at least one second through opening accounts for 10-80% of the total area of the second arm web. Specifically, the area of the at least one second through opening accounts for 30-50% of the total area of the second arm web.

In still a further embodiment, the area of the first group of through openings accounts for 10-80% of the total area of the first arm web. Specifically, the area of the first group of through openings accounts for 30-50% of the total area of the first arm web.

In still a further embodiment, the area of the second group of through openings accounts for 10-80% of the total area of the second arm web. Specifically, the area of the second group of through opening accounts for 30-50% of the total area of the second arm web.

In still a further embodiment, the height of the hanger body and the hanger arm is reduced to further reduce the material used in the hanger, while still maintaining the mechanical performance of the hanger and satisfying industry standards, such as VICS standards.

In still a further embodiment, the ratio of the total weight the top garment hanger (excluding the wire hook), according to the present invention, to the total weight of the prior art top garment hanger (excluding the wire hook) is within the range of 60-90%, both hangers satisfying same industry standards. In other words, compared to the prior art top garment hanger, the total weight reduction achieved by the plastic molded part of the top garment hanger according to the present invention is about 10-40% of the prior art hanger.

In still a further embodiment, the total weight of the plastic molded part of the top garment hanger according to the present invention is about 75% of the total weight of the plastic molded part of the prior art top garment hanger, both hangers satisfying same industry standards. Specifically, the total weight of the plastic material (such as K resin) used for molding the top garment hanger according to the present invention is about 75% of the total weight of the plastic material (such as K resin) used for molding the prior art top garment hanger, both hangers satisfying same industry standards.

In still a further embodiment, the total weight of the plastic material (such as K resin) for molding the top garment hanger according to the present invention is about 24.5 grams. For example, compared to the standard top garment hanger in the industry requiring 33.0 grams of plastic material (such as a “484” top garment hanger satisfying the VICS standards), the total weight reduction of the plastic material is about 8.5 grams.

In still a further embodiment, the body of the top garment hanger can further include a hook receiving element depending therefrom, which is molded integrally with the body at a lower portion of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and benefits of the present invention will be made apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like features across the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a known prior art top garment hanger;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the known top garment hanger along Lines 2-2;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of a lightweight top garment hanger according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the lightweight top garment hanger shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the lightweight top garment hanger shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a local side view showing region A in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the lightweight top garment hanger in FIG. 3 along Lines 7-7 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a top garment hanger 100 as is known in the art. The known garment hanger has a hook member 110, a central hanger body 120 connected to the hook member 110 substantially at the middle of the body 120, a first arm 130 connected to a lower side portion of the body 120 and downwardly sloping from the body 120 to a first end 132, and a second arm 140 connected to another lower side portion of the body 120 and downwardly sloping from the body 120 to a second end 142. The body 120 generally includes a body web 122 surrounded by a continuous body flange 124, to define a region 126 suitable for displaying an information indicator.

The central body 120 includes a centrally located boss 127, to which the hook member 110 is rotatably mounted for suspending a top garment. The boss 127 is reinforced by a pair of supporting ribs 128 and 129 on opposite sides thereof, which are integrally molded and joined to an upper portion of the body flange 124. The supporting ribs 128 and 129 are disposed angularly between the boss 127 and the hanger body 120.

The hook member 110 is fabricated from wire stock and is inverted into the boss 127. The removal of the metal hook member is prevented by using any conventional attachment such as a threaded connection.

The first arm 130 includes a first upper flange 134 and a first lower flange 136, connected to one another by a first arm web 138. The first upper flange 134 and the first lower flange 136 are integrally molded with the body flange 124. The second arm 140 includes a second upper flange 144 and a second lower flange 146, connected to one another by a second arm web 148. The second upper flange 144 and the second lower flange 146 are molded with the body flange 124.

The hanger 100 further includes a hook receiving loop element 150 depending from, and molded integrally with, the body 120 at a lower portion of the body flange 124. The hook receiving loop element 150 allows another garment hanger to be suspended therefrom.

The hanger 100 further includes a first recess 160 defined in the first arm 130, for receiving a portion of a top garment, such as the shoulder strap of a top garment. The hanger 100 further includes a pair of opposite cantilevers 162 and 164 for partially covering the recess 160. The cantilevers 162 and 164 prevent the shoulder strap from slipping off the hanger arm 130. Each of the cantilevers 162 and 164 includes a downwardly extending terminus 166. Similarly, the second arm 140 includes a second recess 170 and a pair of opposite cantilevers 172 and 174. Each of the cantilevers 172 and 174 includes a downwardly extending terminus 176.

The hanger 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is a standard prior art top garment hanger satisfying the VICS standards with respect to the dimensions and mechanical performance of the hanger.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the top garment hanger 100 along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and particularly illustrates details of the construction of the second upper flange 144, second lower flange 146 and the second arm web 148 of the second hanger arm 140. As shown, the second upper flange 144, second lower flange 146 and the second arm web 148 forms an I-beam shaped configuration of the second arm 140. The first arm 130 has similar configuration, symmetrical to the second arm 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the hanger arm 140 has a first height H1 defined substantially as the distance from the second upper flange 144 to the second lower flange 146. The hanger arm 140 further has a first width W1 defined substantially as the distance from the left side to the right side of the second upper flange 144 and the second lower flange 146. For the prior art top garment hanger 100 (such as a “484” top garment hanger), the first height H1 is about 0.75″ and the first width W1 is about 0.30″. Thus, the ratio between the first height H1 and the first width W1 is about 2.50, according to the prior art top garment hanger 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of a top garment hanger according to the present invention, identified by numeral 200 throughout.

The top garment hanger 200 includes a hook member 210 and a central body 220. The hook member 210 is connected to the hook member 210, substantially at the middle of the body 220. The hanger 200 further includes a first arm 230 connected to a lower side portion of body 220. The first arm 230 extends downwardly and outwardly from the body 220 to a first end 232. The hanger 200 further includes a second arm 240 connected to another lower side portion of the body 220. The second arm 240 extends downwardly and outwardly from the body 220 to a second end 242. The first arm 230 and the second arm 240 extend oppositely from one another.

In the shown embodiment, the first end 232, which is distal to the central body 220, is tapered with respect to the portion of the first arm 230 proximate to the central body 220, to provide a generally pointed arm end. Similarly, the second end 242 is also tapered. The inventor of the present invention has discovered that, compared to the prior art top garment hanger (having distal ends substantially constant with the proximal portion of the hanger arm), the narrowed and tapered distal ends of the hanger arm effectively reduce the resin material used for molding the hanger arm, while maintaining the strength of the hanger arms necessary for supporting top garments.

As shown in FIG. 3, the central body 220 is preferably symmetrical along a central axis X-X′ of the hanger. The first arm 230 and second arm 240 can be symmetrical to one another relative to the central axis X-X′.

The body 220 includes a body web 222 surrounded by a continuous body flange 224. Accordingly, a region 226 is defined for displaying an information indicator, such as a plastic placard.

The central body 220 of the hanger 200 further includes a centrally located boss 227, to which the hook member 210 is rotatably mounted. The boss 227 is reinforced by a pair of side support ribs 228 and 229. The side ribs 228 and 229 are disposed at either side of the boss 227, and are slanted with respect to the boss 227. The support ribs 228 and 229 can be integrally molded with the body flange 224 of the central body 220. The ribs 228 and 229 can be symmetrical relative to the central axis X-X′.

The first arm 230 includes a first upper flange 234 and a first lower flange 236, connected to one another by a first arm web 238. The first upper flange 234 and the first lower flange 236 are preferably molded integrally with the body flange 224. The second arm 240 also includes a second upper flange 244 and a second lower flange 246, connected to one another by a second arm web 248. The second upper flange 244 and the second lower flange 246 are preferably molded integrally with the body flange 224.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the detailed configuration of the side support ribs 228 and 229 is described. Each of the ribs 228 and 229 includes a top portion 302 connected to the boss 227, a base portion 304 connected to the body flange 224, and a middle portion 306 between the top portion 302 and the base portion 304. The top portion 302, the base portion 304 and the middle portion 306 are not consistent in their widths. Specifically, the ribs 228 and 229 are tapered upwardly, i.e., the ribs 228 and 229 expand gradually from the top portion 302 to the base portion 304. The inventor of the present invention has discovered that the tapered ribs use less material as compared to the traditional support ribs having constant width, without compromising the mechanical strength and performance of the ribs and the hanger.

The hanger 200 further includes a hook receiving loop element 250 depending from and molded integrally with the body 220 at a lower portion of the body flange 224. The hook receiving loop element 250 allows another ganged garment hanger to be suspended therefrom. Specifically, the hook receiving loop element 250 is narrowed as compared to the hook receiving loop element 150 of the prior art. The inventor of the present invention has discovered that the narrowed hook receiving loop element uses less material as compared to the traditional loop element, without compromising the mechanical performance of the loop element.

The first arm 230 further includes a first recess 231 extending downwardly from the upper surface of the first arm 230. For example, the first recess 231 can be formed by partially deforming the first upper flange 234 downwardly. The first recess 231 is configured to accommodate a part of the top garment, such as a strap shoulder of a lady's top garment. The first arm 230 further includes a pair of first cantilevers 233 and 235, extending oppositely to each other to partially cover the first recess 231. The provision of the cantilevers prevents the part of the garment received in the first recess 231, such as the strap shoulders, from slipping out of the first recess 231. The pair of first cantilevers 233 are preferably molded integrally and continuously with the upper flange 234 of the first arm 230.

Referring to FIG. 4, depicting a top view of the top garment hanger 200, each of the cantilevers 233 and 235 includes a tapered terminal end 237. Thus, viewed form the top, the cantilevers 233 and 235 both assume a substantially trapezoidal shape. The inventor of the present invention has discovered that the trapezoidal-profiled cantilevers 233 and 235 use less material, as compared to the traditional cantilevers 162 and 164 (shown in FIG. 1) having constant profile and downwardly extending terminus. At the same time, the performance of the cantilevers can be maintained.

Similarly, the second arm 240 includes a second recess 241 and a pair of second cantilevers 243 and 245.

Along a substantial centerline Y-Y′ of the first recess 231, the first arm 230 is divided into a first distal portion 239 and a first proximal portion 239′, relative to the central body 220. Similarly, along a substantial centerline Z-Z′ of the second recess 241, the second arm 240 is divided into a second distal portion 249 and a second proximal portion 249′, relative to the central body 220.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the top garment hanger 200 along Lines 7-7 in FIG. 3. As shown, the first upper flange 234, the first lower flange 236 and the first arm web 238 provides an I-beam shaped hanger arm configuration. The first arm web 238 is in the form of a vertical wall extending between the first upper flange 234 and the first lower flange 236.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the first arm 230 includes at least one through opening 260 formed in the first arm web 238. In the shown embodiment, the first arm 230 includes a first group of three through openings 260 a-260 c provided discontinuously in the first arm web 238. The first through opening 260 a and the second through opening 260 b is divided by a first strut 262, and the second through opening 260 b and the third through opening 260 c is divided by a second strut 264.

Provision of the through openings 260 a-260 c greatly reduces the resin material used in manufacturing the hanger 200, and concomitantly, the weight of the hanger 200. Accordingly, manufacturing and transportation costs of the hangers are significantly reduced, especially considering the millions of hangers manufactured each year. However, this hanger configuration with various openings still maintains the mechanical performance and structural integrity of the hanger satisfying industry standards, for example, the VICS standards.

The through openings 260 a-260 c can assume any suitable shape and profile depending on the structural requirements of the hanger, the preference of the molding process and the appearance of the hanger. Although the shown through openings 260 a-260 c are elongated holes substantially in the form of bubbles, as shown in FIG. 3, it should be understood that the number and shape of the through openings are not limited to the shown embodiment. The through openings can be of any shape, such as square, triangle or diamond. Furthermore, the through openings 260 a-260 c of the first arm 230 can be formed in the first distal portion 239 of the first arm 230.

The inventor of the present invention has discovered that the provision of through openings in arm web significantly reduces the resin material used for molding the hanger body, without compromising the mechanical performance and structural integrity of the hanger arm.

Optionally, the second arm 240 also includes at least one through opening 270 formed in the second arm web 248. Preferably, the through opening in the second arm is symmetrical to the through opening of the first arm. However, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the through opening 270 formed in the second arm can be asymmetrical to the through opening 260 formed in the first arm, as long as the configuration of various openings maintains the mechanical performance of the hanger arm.

Preferably, the second arm 240 includes a plurality of through openings 270 a-270 c. The first through opening 270 a and the second through opening 270 b are divided by a first strut 272; and the second through opening 270 b and the third through opening 270 c are divided by a second strut 274. More preferably, each of the through openings 270 a-270 c is symmetrical to the respective through opening of the through openings 260 a-260 c. However, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the plurality of through openings in the first arm can be asymmetrical to the plurality of through openings in the second arm. Preferably, the through openings 270 a-270 c of the second arm 240 are formed in the second distal portion 249 of the second arm 240.

Referring to FIG. 7, the I-beam shaped hanger arm 230 has a second height H2 defined substantially as the distance from the upper flange 234 to the lower flange 236. The hanger arm 230 further has a second width W2 defined substantially as the distance from the left side to the right side of the upper flange 234 and the lower flange 236. For example, the second height H2 is about 0.50″ and the second width W2 is about 0.30″. Thus, the ratio between the second height H2 and the second width W2 is 1.67, according to the exemplary top garment hanger 200.

The following Table 1 presents a comparison of parameters of a hanger according to the present invention vis-à-vis the parameters of a market-accessible prior art hanger (such as a “484/17″” top garment hanger according VICS), both hangers meeting the requirements of the acknowledged industry standards, including the VICS standards.

TABLE 1 Prior Art Top Garment Top Garment Hanger of the Hanger Present Invention Parameters (having an I beam) (having an I beam) Height of I beam 0.75″ 0.50″ Width of I beam 0.30″ 0.30″ Height/width ratio of I beam 2.5 1.67 Weight of metal hook  8.0 g  8.0 g Weight of K resin of hanger 33.0 g 24.5 g body Total weight of hanger 41.0 g 32.5 g

Table 1 shows that, compared to the prior art hanger averagely consuming 33.0 g of K resin, the top garment hanger according to the present invention consumes 24.5 g of K resin. In other words, 8.5 g of K resin are saved per hanger, which accounts for about 25.75% of the total resin material of the prior art hanger. With significantly less resin material consumed, the mechanical performances and structural integrity of the top garment hanger according to the present invention are still maintained at a level same as that of the prior art hanger.

Each year, about 1.0 billion top garment hangers are manufactured in accordance with the VICS standards. Thus, the top garment hanger according to the present invention would reduce the resin material by about 18.7 million pounds annually, which would in turn eliminate about 55.0 million pounds of CO₂ emission for producing the same amount of resin.

Furthermore, the reduction of resin material leads to less consumption of energy and resources for storing, transporting and handling the hangers. Hence, the top garment hanger according to the present invention helps to preserve environment and resources, while still providing improved products to the consumers.

The hanger of the present invention can be formed of one or more of may be one or more of polystyrene, SAN, ABS, PPO, nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene, PET, polycarbonates (PC), acrylics, K-resin, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) among others.

From the foregoing illustrations it is readily apparent that the present invention is directed to a lightweight molded plastic garment hanger for high volume injection molding. The hangers of the present invention consume less material than the corresponding prior art hangers, while still maintaining the mechanical performance, for example, under the VICS standards. Moreover, the production of such hangers is environmentally advantageous.

The present invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments. Certain alterations and/or modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the instant disclosure, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. These embodiments are offered as merely illustrative, and not limiting, on the scope of the invention, which is defined solely with reference to the following appended claims. 

1. A lightweight garment hanger, comprising: a body; a hook member connected to the body; a first arm connected to the body and extending from the body to a first end of the hanger; and a second arm connected to the body and extending from the body to a second end of the hanger, the second arm being substantially symmetrical to the first arm relative to a center axis of the body, wherein the first arm comprises a first upper flange, a first lower flange and a first arm web connecting the first upper flange and the first lower flange, and the first arm web comprises at least one first through opening formed therein.
 2. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the second arm comprises a second upper flange, a second lower flange and a second arm web connecting the second upper flange and the second lower flange, and the second arm web comprises at least one second through opening formed therein.
 3. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first through opening and the at least one second through opening are substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the center axis of the hanger.
 4. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first through opening and the at least one second through opening are asymmetrical to one another relative to the center axis of the hanger.
 5. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the first arm comprises a first recess extending downwardly from the first upper flange of the first arm, the first recess dividing the first arm into a first proximal portion connected to the hanger body and a first distal portion opposite to the first proximal portion, and the at least one first through opening is formed in the first distal portion.
 6. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 5, wherein the second arm comprises a second recess extending downwardly from the second upper flange of the second arm, the second recess dividing the second arm into a second proximal portion connected to the hanger body and a second distal portion opposite to the second proximal portion, and the second arm web comprises at least one second through opening formed in the second distal portion.
 7. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 6, wherein the at least one first through opening and the at least one second through opening are substantially symmetrical to one another relative to a center axis of the hanger.
 8. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 7, wherein the first arm comprises a first group of three through openings formed in the first distal portion and the second arm comprises a second group of three through openings formed in the second distal portion, each one of the first group of three through openings substantially symmetrical to a respective one through opening of the second group of three openings.
 9. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the body comprising a body web and a body flange substantially surrounding the body web, defining a region for displaying an information indicator.
 10. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a hook receiving element depending from and molded integrally with the body at a lower portion thereof.
 11. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the area of the at least one through opening accounts for 10-80% of the total area of the first arm web.
 12. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 11, wherein the area of the at least one through opening accounts for 30-50% of the total area of the first arm web.
 13. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the comparison of the height of the first arm, defined from the upper flange of the first arm to the lower flange of the first arm, to the height of the arm of a corresponding known garment hanger is less than
 1. 14. The lightweight garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the first upper flange, the first lower flange and the first arm web form a substantially I-beam shaped cross section of the first arm. 